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Beethoven Violin Sonatas---favorites and recs

I am looking for some recommendations. My current set of the sonatas (Argerich/Kremer) is really very good from a performance point of view but suffers from the typical mediocre DG sound. I love the recordings in my car, but in the house they are pretty week and thin. It requires an effort. I’ve also ordered the Mutter set, but again, its DG. My favorite violinists are James Ehnes and Hillary Hahn, but they have not recorded these works, so I need some help here.
I’d like your favorite recordings of the works (individual sonatas or complete sets) regardless of vintage and also some recommendations of recent recordings featuring good performances with excellent sound. Thanks.
brownsfan
jhold
116 posts
 
Among recent releases:

Alexander Melnikov and Isabelle Faust on Harmonia Mundi -- excellent sound, vibrant performances, though some find Faust's tone on the steely side.

Cedric Tiberghien and Alina Ibragimova on Wigmore Hall Live -- live performances, quite winning, sound decent if not audiophile, applause unfortunately included.

Among older performances, I very much enjoy Clara Haskil and Arthur Grumiaux (though not for showing off the stereo).
rpeluso
1,063 posts
 
Nathan Milstein, none better.
jhold
116 posts
 
Repluso, are you thinking of Milstein in the BACH sonatas and partitas for solo violin? If so, I'd agree, he's one of the best. He's enjoyable in a recording of some of the most popular Beethoven sonatas on EMI, but that's not the first set I'd turn to or keep for the desert island.
brownsfan OP
1,508 posts
 
I had thought about Milstein. I do love his Bach. It sits on my desk at work. The week is not complete if I haven't heard his late 50's recordings. I saw a 99 Pealman/Argerich recording of the Kreutzer. Martha is one of my favorites. Anyone heard that recording?
The Faust on HM had caught my attention also. HM is one of those labels that can be just a tad too bright, but this one might be worth a shot. The video on Amazon seems promising.
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